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Page 55
CHAPTER XX
SANDY IS DISCHARGED
Elmer and Sandy, guarding the gangway variously called the North
section and Tunnel Six, presently heard voices coming from the
direction of the shaft, and the latter moved back a few paces in order
to inspect the new-comers. In a moment he saw three rather pompous
looking men approaching him, their footsteps being directed by a man
clothed as a miner.
"Here, boy!" shouted one of the pompous men. "Can you tell me where
Canfield, the caretaker of the mine may be found?"
"He's up on the next level," replied Sandy.
"I was told he was down here," growled the speaker, who was very short
and fat, and very much out of breath.
"He was here a little while ago," answered Sandy.
"What's the meaning of this show of firearms?" demanded the fat main,
after glancing disdainfully at the automatic in the boy's hand.
"We've got three robbers cooped up in the mine," replied Sandy.
"That's the old, old story!" exclaimed the fat man. "I don't know
that I ever knew of a mine that wasn't haunted, either by ghosts or
robbers! Mysteries seem to breed in coal mines!"
Sandy walked back to the place where, he had left Elmer, and the three
men and their guide followed him. When Elmer caught a view of the fat
man's face and figure, he gave a sharp pull at Sandy's sleeve.
"That's Stephen Carson!" he said. "I guess I'd better keep out of
sight, because I don't care about getting into an argument with him.
He's the most contrary person I ever saw in my life, and never fails
to get up an argument about something or other with yours truly."
"You seem to know him pretty well," whispered Sandy.
"I ought to," returned Elmer, "he's my Uncle!"
"The two tall men in the party are my father and the cashier of the
Night and Day bank. I'll take a sneak, and that will shorten the
session."
Accordingly, Elmer strolled along the gangway and came to a halt some
distance from where the three men had drawn up.
"My boy" Carson went on, looking condescendingly at the youth, "will
you kindly run up to the second level and tell Mr. Canfield that his
presence is required by the president of the mining company?"
"I'm not allowed to leave this place, sir," replied Sandy, taking
offense at the man's air of proprietorship.
"All persons in and about this mine," Carson almost shouted, "are
subject to my orders. Run along now, you foolish boy, and don't make
any trouble for yourself!"
The man's manner was so unnecessarily dictatorial and offensive that
Sandy found it impossible to restrain his temper. He was not
naturally a "fresh" youngster, but now he had passed the limit of
endurance.
"Aw, go chase yourself!" he said.
"You're discharged!" shouted Carson.
"You didn't hire me!" retorted Sandy. "You haven't got any right to
discharge me! I'm going to stay here until I get ready to leave!"
"If you don't get out of the mine immediately, I'll have you thrown
out!" shouted Carson. "I never saw such impudence!"
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